Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Energy policy: Oil and gas Here's a follow-up to the story about benzene in a spring near Parachute, from The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. From the article: State regulators have begun examining data provided by four energy companies to try to determine which of their wells' waste may have contaminated drinking water at a cabin northwest of Parachute and sickened a De Beque man. Debbie Baldwin, environmental manager for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said all four companies cited in connection with the incident met Monday's deadline for providing well site information to the state for evaluation. "At this moment we're trying to figure out which operations are responsible," she said... The agency issued notices of alleged violation to Williams Production RMT, Marathon Oil Co., Petroleum Development Corp. and Nonsuch Natural Gas. Baldwin said the allegations are only that at this point, based on the proximity of the companies' wells to the cabin and geological and hydrological information in the area. The state required the companies to provide information on any pits used on well pads, including whether they are lined; fluids were placed in the pits; oil and gas condensates were observed on the pits; and any tanks that were used on site and whether any spills occurred. The companies also were required to fence off impacted surface water to restrict access by livestock and wildlife, and provide Prather with water for drinking, household use and livestock. Susan Alvillar of Williams said Prather has been provided with bottled water and a 3,100-gallon tank of fresh water that has been refilled at least three times so he can flush out his water system. Prather has declined to comment on the incident. "2008 pres" 6:30:58 AM

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